SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks traded defenseman Marcus Ragnarsson to the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday for defenseman Dan McGillis.

"It's always a little shocking to get traded but I'm looking forward to getting there and playing with a great organization," said McGillis, who is expected to be in uniform for Saturday night's game against the Nashville Predators. "I want to be up there in minutes and play a big role on the team."

Ragnarsson had spent his entire professional career in the Sharks organization, teaming with Mike Rathje in the Sharks' top defensive pairing for most of the past four seasons.

"Rags has always been a good player for us," Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi said. "We traded a good player for a good player. We're just getting a better fit. McGillis can really shoot the puck and he makes plays."

Ragnarsson, who has one goal and seven assists in 25 games this season, leaves as the franchise's all-time leading scorer among Sharks defensemen with 153 points in 519 games.

Ragnarsson is in the final year of his contract while McGillis has a year remaining on his contract.

"He does have another year but that wasn't the determining factor," Lombardi said. "There's no question he's been a top four defenseman his whole career."

In 24 games this season with Philadelphia, McGillis has no goals and three assists with 20 penalty minutes and a plus-seven rating. McGillis, known as a physical defenseman, is in his seventh NHL season.

"I want to be a big part of the defensive core," said McGillis, who played with Sharks defenseman Bryan Marchment and left wing Scott Thornton while all were with the Edmonton Oilers.

The trade is the first roster shake-up for the Sharks this season. San Jose, which won just eight of its first 24 games, played its first game under new coach Ron Wilson Friday night against Columbus.